A community responder from Swallowfield has inspired his bosses so much with his volunteer work they have donated £2,000 to the ambulance service.

Gary Clark spends his spare time working for the Swallowfield Community Responder Group, part of South Central Ambulance, offering immediate medical assistance to people in life-threatening situations before the arrival of an ambulance.

When he is not saving lives, Mr Clark works at Global Knowledge IT company in Wokingham. His boss, Allan Pettman, said: “When Gary highlighted his role with the Community First Responder scheme, it was an easy decision to show our support for the vital role CFRs play in saving local lives.

“As a local business, we have an obligation to help the community in which we live and work. Gary and all of the CFRs are a great example of how ordinary people really can make a difference and give something back.”

Mr Clark said: “I wanted to do something for the community and after seeing a poster in the doctor’s surgery last October I couldn’t think of a better way of giving something back than to potentially save someone’s life.

“The training involves a 12-hour shift with an ambulance crew to really see things at the sharp end. It was great and you got an overwhelming feeling of support from the ambulance crews – they really do value what we do.”

The money donated will be put towards buying a 4x4 vehicle for the Swallowfield Group.